ABSTRACT
Compressors are required to transfer gases from one process unit to another and to compress them to carry out chemical reactions, separations, and to liquefy gases. Compressors cover the range from vacuum to high pressure and are called vacuum pumps, fans, blowers and compressors, according to their operating pressure range. Roughly vacuum pumps compress gases from about 0.00133 to 1.01 bar (0.0193 to 14.7 psia) [3], fans from 1.01 to 1.15 bar (14.7 to 16.7 psia) [1], blowers from 1.15 to 1.70 bar (16.7 to 24.7 psia) [1], and compressors above 1.70 bar (24.7 psia) [1]. These regions of application are not distinct, and may overlap. The word pump is usually reserved for transferring liquids, but in the vacuum region the compressor is called a vacuum pump.
